 Tonge began his first-class career in the 2002/03 season, having played in under-19 matches since 2000.He played his first game for Leeward Islands on 28 February 2003.He returned single-figure wicket tallies for his first five seasons, without a five-wicket-haul, however in the 2008–09 season he took 44 wickets at 25.09, including four five-wicket-hauls.